Battle of Britain
Day 108
Weather - Dry and overcast in most areas.
Combat - Just after 0900hrs several waves of Me-109 raids, mainly from JG26 and JG51, cross the Kent & Sussex coasts and head for targets around southern London, Kenley and Biggin Hill. Of the several Fighter Command squadrons scrambled to intercept, heavy engagements are made by the Spitfires of No: 41 and 66 Squadrons.
At 1200hrs more raids cross over Kent towards Maidstone, Biggin Hill and Hornchurch areas. Hurricanes of No: 249, 257, 302 (Polish) and 310 (Czech) Squadrons are directed to the area along with Spitfires of No: 19, 222 and 603 Squadrons.
A third main wave of Me-109 raids approach Dungeness just after 1300hrs and interceptions are made by Spitfires of No: 92 and 222 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No: 46 Squadron over Kent.
During these aerial conflicts over Kent, Spitfires of No: 72 Squadron intercept and shoot down a patrolling Me-110 off the Great Yarmouth coast.
Shortly after 1500hrs another large wave of sweeping raids crosses the Kent coast and splits into formations heading for London, Kenley and areas of Sussex. Several R.A.F. squadrons are scrambled to intercept but only the Hurricanes of No: 501 Squadron, from Kenley, succeeded in engaging the Me-109's. The Hurricanes suffer heavily at the hands of JG51 and subsequently lose 4 aircraft and 1 pilot.
Whilst No: 501 Squadron is experiencing heavy combat over Kent, a patrolling Hurricane of No: 79 Squadron, scrambled from Pembrey, is thought to have been shot down by a reconnaissance aircraft plotted in the area.
The Italian expeditionary air corps (Corpo Aereo Italiano) sees action for the first time. 16 Fiat bombers are sent from Belgian bases to attack Harwich. The damage is minimal while 3 of the bombers are lost.
During the night raids are made on London, the Midlands, South Wales, Liverpool and the airfields of Wittering and Middle Wallop. Mines are dropped off Aberdeen, Liverpool, East Anglia and the northeast coastline.
R.A.F. Losses: 17 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 6 pilots killed or missing and 3 wounded.
Luftwaffe Losses: 38 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 37 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 2 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
[
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]The Blitz
In a raid on Harwich a few planes from the Italian Air Force take part.
Bomb Destroys Tram |
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